We'll come through our bad patch, vows Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman wants a positive reaction from his battered side when they make the trip to play St Albans City in the third and final qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts have played two very good sides in the shape of Sutton United and Tonbridge Angels in the past week, losing both games.

And Burman was concerned that his side were outclassed by a Tonbridge Angels side last night, capitulating in the second half to go down 4-1.

Burman knows his side fell short against a Tonbridge side that are gunning for promotio, admitting the Princes Park outfit are a long way off their last two opponents.

And he will try to raise his troops during training tomorrow night as they prepare for their trip to Clarence Park to play a St Albans City side that are in sixth place in the Blue Square South table - seven points behind league leaders Chelmsford City.

Burman and his coaching staff were locked in the dressing rooms for at least 45 minutes last night as they reflected Dartford’s poor second half showing.

“We’ll just get them together on Thursday, they know they haven’t performed in the second half,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk once he emerged from the sanctuary of the dressing room.

“They know things aren’t quite right (but) we win together and we lose together.

“We’ve had a start like this, a little spell like this at the start of the season and we’ll come through it.

“Who knows it might be Saturday, it’s not a league game, it’s a cup game. Lets try and do something Saturday so we can get into the Tuesday game (at home to Ashford Town Middlesex) in the league.

“We’d go there and enjoy ourselves whatever the results were leading upto it.

“If we can keep the first half performance up for ninety minutes, who knows what might happen.”

Burman has been in discussions with last season’s leading goalscorer, Brendon Cass, who has spent a lot of time this season on the bench due to Rob Haworth (6 goals) and Cody McDonald (9) goalscoring form.

“Brendon’s sitting on the bench because the other two strikers are doing very, very well,” explained Burman.

“I’ve spoken to Brendon, he’s disappointed but he’s understanding the situation and handling it in a professional manner but when the other two are doing reasonably well then these things happen.”

Meanwhille, former Dart, Ray Powell has opted for a move to Ryman League Division One North side East Thurrock United.

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

St Albans City v Dartford
FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 22 November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Clarence Park, York Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 4PL